The inauguration ceremony of Egypt's elected President of Egypt, Mohamed Morsi, was held Saturday in the High Constitutional Court. It was aired live by state television. "Today sees the birth of the Second Republic," a judge said at the beginning of the ceremony, which began with the national anthem and nearly two hours late.

"I swear by Almighty God to preserve the Republican system, to respect the Constitution and the law and to fully protect the interests of the people," said Mr. Morsi.

The Court is located right next to the military hospital where the ousted president Hosni Mubarak, 84, had been transferred there about ten days ago from Tora prison hospital. The former president was sentenced to life imprisonment for his involvement in the killing of hundreds of protesters during the uprising last year.